Gastronomy

Nice to look at, tasty to eat

In the island of Krk’s turbulent past, all foreigners coming to the island noticed its advantages and its wealth which they tried to use to the best of their advantage. Regarding the island’s wealth and its single parts, it is best told by the epithets the island is known by. The Romans called the city of Krk “the most brilliant city of Krk inhabitants” and Venetian commissioners called it the “happy and golden island”. Legend has it that lamb from the island of Krk was served during Nero’s famous banquets in Rome.

Together with home-made olive oil and wine vinegar, herbs and spices found on the island dominate in the preparation of island delicacies such as laurel, rosemary, garlic, shallots, salt, parsley, tomatoes, olives, carrots… The life expectancy on the island of Krk is usually above the national average. The legend regarding the area’s being gifted with a natural wealth, a mild climate and a mild Mediterranean Diet has become reality for the island’s numerous centenarians. The secret of long life also lies in the “elixir of youth, health and beauty” which is present in large quantities on the island of Krk and this is confirmed by the islanders when they talk about the olive oil as an obligatory ingredient to both local and national food specialities.

Fresh fish, scampi and other crustaceans and shellfish are still today unchangeable in an islanders’ home cooking, as well as lots of vegetable side dishes. A holiday lunch will almost always include meals made from home-made pasta (šurlice, macaroni, gnocchi) with different sauces. Krk lamb, home-made sheep’s milk cheese and smoked ham are particularly appreciated.

Taste the sweet island speciality made from sheep’s milk cheese whose name varies according to the village – presnac, presnec, presnoc.
All of these traditional Krk dishes are offered on the menus of around a hundred island restaurants, taverns and other catering facilities that prepare and offer international cuisine.
Included within home-made specialities are also the traditional events:

– “Wine days” in Vrbnik
– “Fig days” at the island’s catering facilities
– Šurlice and Asparagus Days in April
– Lamb and cheese days in May.

The gastronomical offer is one of the focal points of Krk’s hospitality and tourism.
Make a toast with Vrbnička žlahtina, and if you wish to take a “gastronomy souvenir” from the island let that be the home-made brandy or dry figs.
And remember: if islanders offer you brandy and dry figs, they are wishing you an honest welcome and as legend has it are predicting a long and happy life.